American singer/songwriter Richard Marx returns with a new album After Hours; inspired by an evening spent at the piano while drinking martinis at home with his wife Daisy.
While he swings between renditions of Great American Songbook classics like Fly Me to the Moon and Love Is Here to Stay, he also pens originals with a similar free-flowing spirit and ropes some of the biggest stars to help in the studio.
Recorded live over three days with an orchestra and session players, Marx, 62, spoke to The Write Drop for our At The Bar series.
He is touring nationally in April.
MY CITY
I don’t know that I have a clear ‘my city’ these days. In the last few years, we’ve lived primarily in Miami which I’m still learning about day by day. It’s like living an island life but with all the conveniences of a major city right.
FAVOURITE FOOD MEMORY
Year ago, a group of us spent a long weekend in Napa, California, and ended up at the world-famous French Laundry. My wife, Daisy and I got the vegan seven course meal and everyone else who got the regular menu ended up quite jealous of us. It was one of the most perfect meals I’ve ever had.
FAVOURITE BAR
Although I love a great tequila, I’m a vodka martini man. There’s a gorgeous, elegant bar at the Palace in New York called Rarities. I think it’s one of my favourite places in the world. The decor is next level, the service exquisite and it possesses the most extensive selection of top shelf spirits I’ve ever witnessed in one place.
DRINK THAT DESCRIBES YOU
These days, I call martinis – Marxtinis!
BEST HANGOVER CURE
I never get hangovers because I never mix spirits. I also drink super clean and pure. I’ve heard the best cure is some greasy fast food and a nap, but I wouldn’t know!
OVERSEAS BAR
There’s a bar in the basement of London’s OWO Hotel called the Spy Bar. You have to have a password to get in and there’s a vintage Aston Martin suspended above the bar. As a martini aficionado that place is like Disneyland for me.
FAVOURITE WINE
My personal favourite is a Cab from a beautiful Napa vineyard called Hall. Their wines are superb.
FAVOURITE WINERY
Hall Winery in the Napa Valley.
FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS
- Barth’s for its beauty, glamour and crazy fun nightlife.
- The Maldives for its peaceful tranquility, perfect weather, and most glorious beaches which I’ve ever set foot.
- Aspen in winter – but I love it even more in the summer. I’m addicted to hiking and nature walks and Aspen hosts the most magnificent trails I’ve ever seen. Daisy and I got married there.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO MAKE A JAZZ RECORD THIS TIME AROUND?
I never had any interest in making a covers album until I challenged myself to write half the album. I choose to cover some of my all-time favourite standards, but also had a blast writing songs that I feel sound as if they were written in that same era. It’s a very different kind of songwriting for me.
You did a five-night residency at the Carlyle last October; your friend Hugh Jackman got up on stage with you. How did you both meet?
Hugh Jackman got up on stage with me on my opening night and we did a song together that brought the house down. I sat in with him a few months earlier at a couple of his shows at Radio City. Hugh has been one of my closest friends for over 20 years. We always have a blast together and laugh a lot, but have also been there for each other during some of our toughest times. He’s everything you hope he is. A true gentleman who always leads with kindness and grace. He is, however, terrible at telling a joke.”
A STELLAR LINE-UP OF GUEST COLLABORATIONS ON THE NEW ALBUM:
ROD STEWART
Rod Stewart has been a hero of mine for as long as I can remember. The greatest live performer I’ve ever seen and such a great and underrated songwriter. Just in the last few years we’ve become great pals and we’ve had many wonderful dinners together and a whole lot of laughs. Having him sing a duet with me of Young at Heart on this album was a serious bucket list item. We’re doing a bunch of shows together this year, too. I can’t wait.
CHRIS BOTTI
Chris Botti and I have been friends for many years. He’s about as gifted a musician as I’ve ever known and he came into the studio with so much passion and care to play on All I Ever Needed. Chris is a real class act.
RANDY WALDMAN
Randy Waldman is another phenomenal musician I’ve known for many years, but this was our first time working together. His level of talent is truly stunning. Listen to his piano solo on Love Is Here to Stay. That was one take. He’s that good. There’s a reason he’s been Barbra Streisand’s musical director for decades.
TOM SCOTT
Tom Scott is another world-renowned jazz musician who’s made numerous albums of his own and played in countless records. He played the sax solo on my hit Children of the Night in the late ‘80s and it was great to have him play on Summer Wind on this new album so many years later.
DREA TOMÈ
Drea is a dear family friend who happens to have this golden and gorgeous voice. She’s also a wonderful songwriter who has some brilliant music streaming out there. I knew her voice was perfect to sing with me on Days of You.
WE LOVE YOU ON THE VOICE. DOES AUSTRALIA FEEL LIKE HOME A LITTLE?
I’ve loved working on The Voice. I get to spend my days with a crew of wonderful people and I love my fellow coaches. But my favourite part of it has been living at the beach in Sydney. My wife and I never feel that pull to go home to America. We’re so happy here we know we could easily live here full time. Thanks to my touring I’ve visited much of the country over the years. I actually love Perth and would like to spend more time getting to know that city. I’ve never been to Tasmania so that’s on my list, too. The Australian people have made me feel like family for nearly forty years now. It somehow just keeps getting better.
Why not check out Richard Marx’s podcast here:
https://www.youtube.com/@storiestotellrichardmarx
